On: As JetBrains we condemn the attacks taking place

[tailspin2019]

Not to detract from the importance of their statement today, but I’ve always thought that they were really a “Czech company” on paper only.

Take a look at their supposed Czech HQ office:

https://www.jetbrains.com/company/contacts/prague/

And then compare to their St Petersburg, Russia office:

https://www.jetbrains.com/company/contacts/st-petersburg/

Which one looks more like a HQ? The latter office is their largest [0] and also just happens to be where their CEO is based [1].

It’s always felt to me like their de facto HQ is in Russia.

I’m not trying to insinuate anything, I like their products and I’m pleased to see their statement today, but the “we’re a Czech company” thing has always felt a bit odd to me.

If anything though, it makes the stand they’re taking today even more significant.

[0] https://officesnapshots.com/2020/01/16/jetbrains-offices-sai...

[1] https://mobile.twitter.com/mshafirov

[hollandia → tailspin2019]

They are Czech company only on paper (probably for better access to western markets). They don't have any sort of real presence in Czech Republic, just offices for their global teams. Their products don't have Czech versions. Not even their website is available in Czech language. Highly unusual for a technical company. Even big global companies offer at least something in our local language.

[LoveGracePeace → hollandia]

"Not even their website is available in Czech language."

Very interesting.

[yread → hollandia]

FWIW last year I got an invoice from the Czech company and this year from a Dutch BV.

[Mikeb85 → tailspin2019]

Yes, they're mostly Russian. But legal status matters in that Russia can't shut them down...

[hollandia → Mikeb85]

Maybe not Russia, but sanctions can hit them pretty hard. They might not be able to transfer money to Russian and western companies might not be comfortable using what is basically just Russian software with "Czech" sticker on it.

[sam_lowry_ → Mikeb85]

Russia can shut down its operations in St Petersbourg.

[stjohnswarts → sam_lowry_]

I would imagine after this they will shut down all Russian operations. Putin is on war footing and he's not about to allow dissent for much longer.

[sam_lowry_ → stjohnswarts]

There are thousands of employees in JetBrains offices in Russia. Looking at Belarusian events around PandaDoc, it takes several months to relocate employees, some resign for personal reasons, others land in jail.

Now that PandaDoc relocated mostly to Kyiv... they have the problem of relocating further on.

[ushakov → Mikeb85]

them being a foreign company actually puts them at more risk, because they can legally be declared a foreign agent

[carstenhag → tailspin2019]

I'm sure there are better sources than just pictures of the offices :D. For my own employer, you could apply the same logic and you would be wrong.